College Football Playoff Picture After Week 13: SEC Shockers, a Big 12 Crasher & More
When the College Football Playoff expanded, the hope was that more games would matter to more programs and fan bases in the closing stretch of the season. On Saturday, in a stretch of 12 hours, this theory proved itself true.
In one week, a hopeful postseason run was all but lost while others found new life. With the regular season quickly running out of games, the 12-team bracket will soon fill out.
Before it does, there is still plenty to unpack. Week 13 provided plenty of clarity, although more clarity is on the way.
Here's where we stand with the College Football Playoff as we enter the home stretch.
Ole Miss Has Removed Itself from Playoff Consideration
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This offseason, Lane Kiffin did everything right. He tapped into the transfer portal—with a solid assist from NIL support—and he rebuilt the Ole Miss roster in key areas. With a manageable SEC schedule, all eyes were on the playoff.
On Saturday, the push for the postseason ended.
For the second time this season, the Rebels lost as a double-digit favorite, this time against Florida. Kiffin's team was undone by a feisty Florida squad, which handed Ole Miss its third loss of the year.
The other losses came against Kentucky (woof) along with LSU. And the loss against the Tigers featured plenty of meltdown moments.
The resume has bright spots, highlighted by dominant wins over South Carolina and Georgia. But as a three-loss team, there will be no playoff regardless of what happens against Mississippi State next weekend.
The impact of this, of course, is massive. With Ole Miss out, another team will now have access.
The Hoosiers Are Still in Fine Playoff Position
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On the topic of Ole Miss opening doors, enter Indiana.
Although the Hoosiers jumped in front of Ohio State early, it was all Buckeyes after that. Indiana couldn't muster up enough offense, and OSU cruised 38-15.
For a team that has lived a charmed existence thus far, it was certainly a blow. With that said, Indiana is still in prime position to make the CFP.
Yes, the Ole Miss loss helps. So does Alabama's. (More on that in a moment.)
Beyond that, Indiana plays at home against Purdue next week. This should be a comfortable win. (While we know weird things happen in college football, this would be a very weird thing.)
From there, Indiana will finish its season likely with one loss—albeit against a softer schedule. Although that schedule will be a popular discussion come selection time, it likely won't matter.
Barring something truly bizarre, Indiana is in great shape.
The SEC Is a Glorious Mess but Will Still Get Multiple Teams in the Playoff
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It's been a fascinating year for this rebuilt conference, and it looks like it will go out with a bang.
Ole Miss wasn't the only SEC team to experience disappointment on Saturday.
Alabama, which never got going against Oklahoma, saw its playoff chances suffer a cataphoric blow when the Crimson Tide laid an egg. Texas A&M, which has been largely excellent under new coach Mike Elko, couldn't outlast Auburn in a wild overtime.
The end result is, well, a bit of a mess. The conference that has largely dominated college football in recent memory has largely cannibalized itself in recent weeks. And we all frankly need to regroup.
The big winners of the chaos? Georgia and Tennessee.
The Bulldogs and Vols are in prime position to benefit from the SEC chaos, although the outcome is much juicer than that. The winner of the Texas-Texas A&M game will join the Bulldogs in the SEC Championship Game.
Let the games truly begin.
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SMU's Playoff Push Takes an Enormous Leap Forward
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Back in Week 0, SMU nearly lost outright to Nevada as more than a four-touchdown favorite. Three months later, and the Mustangs are closing in on a postseason berth.
With a win over Virginia, the Mustangs officially secured a spot in the ACC Championship Game. No drama. No close calls. Just a dominating 33-7 performance.
The Mustangs will close with Cal, although they'll play in the championship game regardless. If Miami wins at Syracuse next week, the Hurricanes will be the opponent. If they lose, Clemson will get a crack.
Regardless of that outcome, SMU is playing like the most balanced (and best) team in the ACC. And while many have long penciled Miami into the bracket, that presumed outcome seems nowhere close to finalized now.
The Mustangs are alive and well.
Arizona State is Poised to do the Unthinkable
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A year ago, the Sun Devils were one of the sport's doormats.
Now? Well, they might be two wins away from a College Football Playoff appearance.
Arizona State won a wild (and weird) football game against BYU, which featured a bizarre final five minutes. Regardless of how we got there, ASU delivered a 28-23 win. In doing so, and with Colorado's loss to Kansas, the Sun Devils essentially simplified the path.
If they beat Arizona next week, they're in the Big 12 Championship Game. And if they win that game, they'll earn a spot in the postseason. Even with the expanded postseason, this run is somewhat shocking.
Late Saturday night, the Big 12 confirmed the following. If Arizona State, BYU, Colorado and Iowa State all finish with seven wins, ASU and Iowa State would be championship game bound.
It's been a fascinating year for this rebuilt conference, and it looks like it will go out with a bang.
The Group of 5 Race Is Very Much Alive
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Boise State hasn't looked quite right, and star running back Ashton Jeanty struggled to stay on the field against Wyoming because of an injury. With all that in mind, the Broncos moved one step closer to the playoff.
In the latest rankings, thanks largely to the shakeup in the Big 12, Boise State had a bye in the first round. A close victory against two-win Wyoming won't help matters, although it doesn't change the overall standing.
If Boise State wins out, it's in the playoff. Heck, the Broncos might have a bye. But assuming that, given what we've seen recently, seems premature.
Army, which was trailing Boise State in the latest rankings, was clobbered by Notre Dame. Tulane and even UNLV, which were both ranked this week, could still factor into this discussion with wins next week.
This is one to keep an eye on. Don't sleep on the other Group of Five teams still looming.
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